CHAPTER XV.
A NEW COMBINATION My first thought was that this must prove a trap, and I drew hastily back behind the curtain, believing myself justified in an effort at escape.
Surely, under such conditions, my word of parole to Peter had no binding force.

Yet I waited long enough to glance forth again.

The advancing body was less than a hundred strong, Queen's Rangers and Hessians, from their uniforms, straggling along on foot, limping, dusty, and without arms.
These must be the remnant of Delavan's command, released by their guard of partisans, and now wearily seeking refuge.

But why were they coming here?
Surely this was not the Philadelphia road?
They turned in upon the open lawn in front of the door, and I could plainly distinguish the faces.

There could no longer be any doubt but what these were the men we had fought and defeated the evening before.
Grant, with the two Hessian officers, was in advance, and the former strode directly toward the house, while the majority of his following flung themselves at full length on the ground, as though utterly exhausted.